‘I have not felt any Modi wave this time’

In an era where people in politics keep changing parties to get election tickets, Ram Chandra Choudhary waited patiently while serving Congress for 57 years. Even in his seventies, Choudhary is travelling almost 100 km a day and meeting people in hamlets, villages and at block levels across the Ajmer Lok Sabha constituency. His continuous stint as chairman of Ajmer district milk production cooperative union since 1990 has made him familiar among dairy farmers. Before leaving for his campaigning on a hot day, a cheerful Choudhary sat for an interview with TOI and asserted that ‘Modi wave’ no longer exist

You have been Ajmer dairy chairman since 1990; will this benefit you in the Lok Sabha election?

I have been a Congress member since 1967 and facilitated in organising tours of former PMs, including Rajiv Gandhi and Narsimha Rao. My association with dairy farmers is strong. I hope my hard work and struggle will fetch me fruitful results in this election. But I am not complacent, as I am travelling 100-km per day and meeting each and every person in the constituency. I believe I will get support not only from the farmers’ community but also from those who are fed up with the poor governance of the Narendra Modi-led BJP govt for the past one decade.

When you were not nominated for state assembly or Lok Sabha elections, did you think of switching the party?

I never asked for an election ticket. I am in Congress for its ideology, so under no circumstance can I join BJP. People alleged that I gave outside support to BJP’s Sanwar Lal Jat, who had defeated Sachin Pilot in 2014, but it was not true. I have believed in Congress ideology since my student days. I have served as Congress district president of Ajmer Rural and as PCC vice-president. I have never thought of my future in any other political party.

In 2014 and 2019, BJP & allies won all seats in Rajasthan and there was a Modi wave. Do you think Modi’s charisma will again help BJP candidates?

I have not witnessed any such wave this time. PM Narendra Modi-led govt has betrayed and cheated people in the past 10 years. Did anyone get the Rs 15- lakh promised by Modi? Time has come when voters are ready to give an apt reply to BJP and its false promises. The incumbent Ajmer MP and now BJP candidate Bhagirath Choudhary did not even show his face to people in the past 5 years. I do not think BJP poll gimmicks will work this time.
What would be your priorities if you are elected?

Ajmer was an education hub during the colonial times. So, firstly I will try to establish IIT and IIM in Ajmer. Also, for better health facilities, I will fight for an AIIMS at Ajmer. Drinking water has been an unsolved problem of Ajmer where people living even in urban areas are getting a supply once in three days. I think there is a need to connect Bisalpur dam with Chambal river to get extra water for Ajmer. Likewise, I will work for making Kishangarh an international airport to boost religious tourism since we have Dargah Sharif in Ajmer and Brahma temple in Pushkar. Then there is the need to create a ceramic hub in Ajmer.

Are you sure of your victory? What are the prospects for Congress in this election?

Take my words, Congress will not only win Ajmer seat but will also get at least 15 other seats in Rajasthan; India alliance will form the govt at the centre. If Modi is so popular, how did Congress manage to secure 70 seats in the 2023 state assembly? I believe voters now-a-days are very intelligent and this time they will vote to defeat the dictatorship in the country. They will vote for better infrastructure than for mere ‘fiery’ dialogues.


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